Choosing your perfect tour type.We offer just about every type of adventure imaginable. Explore with other likeminded travellers on our organised group tours, alternatively try a private departure or talk to our tailormade team if you want more flexibility.

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Welcome to Explore - The Adventure Travel Experts.Explore has been running small group responsible adventures for nearly 35 years so you can be confident that you are in safe hands. Browse to find out more about Explore, our staff, tour leaders and values.

The information below is intended to assist you as you consider your travel options with Explore. In addition to the detailed itinerary each tour has been supported with some useful information to provide you with an overview of your accommodation & meals, all things money, passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and much more to help you with your travel preparations.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Inca Trail Trek tour available at present.

Additional notes for tours that include the Inca Trail
1. In order to regulate the number of people walking on the Inca Trail it is necessary to buy an Inca Trail Pass specific to the days that you wish to travel. There are 200 passes per day for tourists, the remainder are for guides and porters.
2. If you are travelling on an Explore tour, Explore buy the necessary permit on your behalf. This is non-refundable and can’t be refunded or transferred after you have confirmed your booking.
3. Passes are sold on a ‘first come first served basis’ and sell out quickly, so we would urge that you book your tour well ahead of your intended travel date. New Inca Passes are released in January of each year so ideally we would recommend that you book your tour at least 6 months ahead and by December for the following year where possible.
4. In order to buy your pass we will need your: full name, passport number, date of birth and nationality. If you change passport before travelling it will be necessary to provide a copy of both passports in advance of travelling and to carry a copy of your previous passport with you.
5. The Peruvian authorities may change the regulations for the Inca Trail Pass at any time. In the event of this we will inform you as soon as possible.

Booking a Single Room

All of our group tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travellers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation.

Please refer to the tour notes where the single room option availability is detailed on a night by night basis for this tour, and the price for the available nights is detailed on the dates & prices tab by departure date.

For Self-Guided trips the Single Room supplement offers the option of a single room each and is charged per person. The Single Room supplement also applies to the third person in a party of three that will be accommodated in a single room.

Accommodation Notes

Whilst on trek we camp wild in two-man tents with plenty of room for bags. At our camps we set up a dining tent and tables and stools are provided. There is also a toilet tent. Due to the nature of the environment, personal washing water is limited. The trek is fully supported by our team of porters. They set up and take down the tents, prepare all the meals, carry all our bags except daysacs and gear and generally ensure our well-being during the trek. We ensure their wellbeing by adhering to good working practice.

You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and
items of a personal nature such as laundry.

Food

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide.Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Peru

Lunch £:
9.00

Dinner £:
13.00

Drink

The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive.

Peru

Bottle of Beer £:
1.50

Water £:
1.00

Tipping - Tour Leader

At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.

Optional Excursions

Ollantaytambo - Rafting on Urubamba River US$ 40/45 depending on numbers.
Huayna Picchu - £60; Machu Picchu Mountain £55 (both including transport) - Subject to availability - these must be pre-paid at time of booking. If you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please take your original passport with you to avoid being fined.

Tipping - Local Crew

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly you should allow approximately US$ 45 for tipping.
It is customary to tip our Porters, Cooks and Trail Guide at the end of the Trek, although this is entirely at your discretion.

Foreign Exchange

Peru

ATM Availability:
Available in Major towns. Always have some cash as back-up as they are not always reliable

Credit Card Acceptance:
In major restaurants.

Travellers Cheques:
Travellers Cheques are not always easy to exchange.

Local Currency:
Nuevo Sol

Recommended Currency for Exchange:
Carry all your funds in US cash NOT Sterling or Travellers Cheques which are more difficult to exchange.
We recommend to take a minimum of US$400-$500 of your total spending money in cash for your tour, in mixed denominations. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they might be difficult to exchange.

Where to Exchange:
Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.

Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found on our website at www.explore.co.uk, in the tour specific dates and prices section.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will now receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The transfers will be from the Explore designated airport or train station to the joining point of your tour, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling in England and Scotland. We also strongly recommend your policy includes curtailment, personal effects and cancellation protection as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You will also need to ensure your travel policy covers you for all activities you intend to do whilst on tour.

We are delighted to include FREE travel insurance for all qualifying customers who book an Explore trip between 01 January 2015 and 31 August 2015.

For more information about Travel insurance and to check whether you are eligible to receive free cover, please visit www.explore.co.uk/insurance. Explore Worldwide Ltd are an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Limited. who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The registration number can be checked by visiting the the FCA's website www.fca.gov.uk or by contacting them on 0800 111 6768.

Visa Information

Peru: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens.

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

USA (If flights transit): According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/ onward ticket. The passport requirements are that it must be machine readable, and must contain a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.

All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home.

When completing an application for transit you should enter the words 'In Transit' with your final destination location in the address line. Anyone applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).

For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).

For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Vaccinations & Protection

Peru

We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio, infectious hepatitis and malaria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.We recommend protection against yellow fever. There have been very few cases reported, but local authorities do recommend travellers get immunised against yellow fever.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Additional Information for your trekking Tour

Climate

Peru

There is a rainy season from Dec - Mar however on the coast it rarely rains. Jun-Oct is damp and misty, but temperatures never drop below 10°C. At high altitudes although there are sunny days temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly.

Maximum Altitude on Trek (m)

4200

Trekking Details

This is a 4-day trek with an average of 5 to 6 hours walking each day. We reach a maximum altitude of 4200m. This trip has been graded moderate to challenging.

Altitude Description

This trip goes to an altitude where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), a common and usually harmless condition caused by reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen. Whilst the itinerary has been specifically designed to allow your body to acclimatise gradually, the speed of onset and severity - as well as the height at which AMS develops can vary greatly between individuals; being physically fit affords no special protection. If symptoms occur while on tour you must let your tour leader know immediately. For further advice when travelling at altitude we recommend visiting the medical advice website of "Medex" and downloading their information booklet: http://medex.org.uk/medex_book/english_version.php

Travellers with heart or lung conditions, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure, or taking the contraceptive pill must seek the advice of their GP and specifically mention the maximum altitude the trip reaches (please refer to Tour Essentials box on front page of your Tour Notes). Please take these to your medical appointment so that your doctor has the full details of your trip.

You must have adequate travel insurance for your trip. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you to the maximum altitude indicated above. If you have Explore insurance you will be covered to this altitude.

Equipment

Binoculars, torch, water bottle, insect repellent, suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lipsalve with sun protection. You will also need a sleeping bag.

Sleeping Bag:
As you do not carry it yourself this may be down or synthetic, but it must be 4-season. A cotton liner helps to keep your bag clean. You do not need a foam mat as thermarests are provided. It is possible to hire an appropriate down sleeping bag for the trek locally (US$ 20).

Water Bottle:
Water along the trail must never be considered as drinkable. The camp staff provide purified water each day with which to fill your own bottle. 1 litre is the minimum size suitable. Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed on the trail. It is a good idea to add some powdered fruit juice for flavouring. Please note: metal bottles can also double up as hot water bottles.
Torch/Batteries/Bulb:
A small torch is essential for finding things in your tent, visiting the 'toilet' in the night etc. Often a head torch is the most practical option as it allows you to have both hands free. Remember that in most developing countries only a limited selection of batteries is available. The most common are pen cells (or AA size) and SP/HP2 (D size).
Toiletries:
Try to keep heavy cosmetics etc to a minimum. Essentials are toothbrush/paste, soap and a small towel. Wet Wipes are great for a quick clean up in your tent, so bring a pack of those.
Personal First Aid Kit:
On each trek a first aid kit is carried but you should have your own blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirin etc. (Please do not give medicines to local people without consulting the Trek Leader).

The following equipment list is provided by Explore once you are on the trek:
• 2-person tents
• Dining tent
• Thermarest
• Stools and table
• All cooking and kitchen gear

Footwear

Well broken in walking boots are essential and shoes/trainers for relaxing in. For the rafting, old trainers or Teva sandals are best.
Walking Boots:
Probably the trickiest part of all. We strongly recommend walking in good boots. Trainers, tennis shoes etc simply do not give the ankle support afforded by a decent pair of boots. Many people now trek in the lighter weight Gore-Tex or leather boots sold under the brand names Karrimor, Berghaus or similar and these are usually satisfactory. They have the advantage that they take little breaking in. The slightly heavier traditional leather walking boots are also good. Avoid the types often found in high street
shoe shops, which are simply cheap trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on – they give little support and will probably not last the trek. Above all, your boots must be well broken in and comfortable. We do not recommend borrowing or renting boots. It is a good idea to carry your boots in your hand luggage on international flights or wear them – should your luggage be delayed, your well broken in boots are the one thing which will be irreplaceable.

Clothing

In the highlands conditions are generally dry and sunny during the day but bring warm clothing such as a warm fleece, thermal underwear, warm hat and gloves for cooler nights in the mountains when temperatures drop dramatically. A complete set of clothes that can get grubby and muddy are useful. Lightweight waterproofs are useful. Bring your swimsuit.

Thermals:
Comfortable around camp and much more practical (and warmer) to sleep in than pyjamas.
Trainers or Trekking sandals:
Useful around camp, in towns and when travelling. Sandals are ideal for rafting as they protect the soles of your feet and also keep them cool.
Socks:
It is best to wear a pair of liner socks under a pair of fairly thick loop stitch socks. This helps to protect your feet against blisters. Avoid nylon socks, they are abrasive, don't breathe well and can cause blisters.
Waterproofs:
Breathable waterproofs not only protect against rain and wind but also stop you from overheating. They breathe and avoid condensation that you will experience from nylon waterproofs.
Thick jumper/fleece jacket:
A thick jumper or fleece jacket is necessary as nights can be very cold at altitude, especially in July. Make sure that your waterproof jacket is loose enough to wear over your sweater or fleece.
T-shirts:
We recommend polyester/polypropylene fabrics which keep you warm even when wet.
Shorts:
Shorts can be very comfortable to walk in but you must carry long trousers with you in case you get either sunburnt or cold. Please remember we shall be passing through the occasional remote areas and villages and short shorts (especially on ladies) can give offence to the local inhabitants. Longer looser fitting shorts are, in any case, more comfortable to walk in.
Gloves and Hat:
Especially useful around camp in the morning and in the evening at higher altitudes.

Luggage: On Tour

One main piece of baggage and daypack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
Your main bag should be lockable as this will be left in storage in Cusco whilst on the trek. The maximum weight allowance for the trek is 7kg only and a kit bag for this purpose will be provided.
Main Baggage:
Your main piece of baggage - suitcase, rucksack or whatever, which must be lockable as this becomes the receptacle for anything you don't want on the trek and this is stored at the hotel in Cusco while you are trekking.
Trek Kit Bag:
Before leaving Cusco there is plenty of time to re-sort luggage into what you need on trek and what can be left in Cusco (see above). Your trek luggage, including sleeping bag, needs to be packed into a kit bag (provided), to be carried by the porters.
The weight limit for this is 7kg but you will probably find that you do not need this much. Advice on how to pack will be given at the trek briefing. Whatever you take, it must be strong, as porters are not very gentle with baggage.
Small Rucksack/Daypack:
During the course of a trekking day, you do not have access to the luggage, which is being carried for you by the porters. In any mountain region the weather can change rapidly and you must be equipped for this eventuality. Your daypack should, therefore, be large enough to carry the following: Waterproofs, sweater, long trousers (if walking in shorts), warm hat and gloves, sun hat, suncream, water bottle (at least 2 litre or 2 1litre bottles), tissues and your packed lunch. Most people normally find
that this adds up to about 6kg. Camera equipment can be heavy so think carefully when deciding what to take. Remember to carry memory cards with you during the day. Other optional items in a daypack might be a diary or a book to read at lunchtime. Something between 20 and 25 litres capacity is probably the most suitable. A shoulder bag is simply not a practical alternative.

Luggage

Electric Supply & Plugs

Peru

We’ve been creating award-winning pioneering adventure holidays for over 30 years, earning the trust of thousands of delighted customers, who feel safe in our hands. Our tour leaders have expert local knowledge and our tours are designed to take you off the beaten track to see the most exotic, inspiring and dramatic places in the world.

Responsible travel is and always has been one the driving principles of Explore.

Our adventure holidays are full of exciting things to see and do, exploring in small groups travelling by bus, boat, plane, rickshaw, camel, elephant, or any number of unusual forms of transport . Often you will stay in family run hotels and village houses and enjoy authentic local cuisine. In this way, it’s easy to discover the true heart of the people and the place you travel to – and make some new friends along the way. Each tour is uniquely different, so please feel free to browse through our tours to see what may whet your appetite.

Our commitment to the environment

We are passionate about sustainable travel and work hard to create tours where your holiday delivers real benefits to the local communities. We minimise our impact by travelling in small groups, respecting local cultures and traditional, reducing waste and offsetting 100% of the CO2 from our flights.

When you travel with Explore, you are directly contributing to local economies and helping empower the people you meet. We currently support a range of charities and good causes, including: Toilet Twinning (helping to flush away poverty), Lone Buffalo Foundation (a community project based in Laos providing creative skills for young people), Dekamer ( a turtle rescue centre in Turkey) and Kids Saving the Rainforest (a wildlife rescue centre in Costa Rica supported through the LATA foundation). We also care passionately about the world’s wildlife. We are patrons of the Born Free Organisation and Friends of Conservation.

Cool Earth

Explore are proud to support Cool Earth in their effort to reduce global carbon dioxide levels through the prevention of deforestation in the South America rainforest. Cool Earth focus on areas in immediate danger of deforestation, supporting local communities to be forest guardians. To date 350,000 acres of rainforest has been protected. Saving rainforest also protects rare animals and plants, allows local forest communities to maintain their way of life, and protects a major source of oxygen and fresh water. When you travel on an Explore holiday we make a donation to Cool Earth that exceeds the impact of our customers flights each year.

Earth Matters

The Travel FoundationExplore are active members and supporters of the Travel Foundation which has established a variety of sustainable tourism projects in destinations and works with industry to improve practice. Visit their website www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

Tourism ConcernExplore support the work of Tourism Concern who campaign for fairly and ethically traded tourism, and are part of its Ethical Tour Operator Group www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at www.explore.co.uk/travel-safety

Peace of mind - book with confidence

You can book your Explore holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. Explore is a fully bonded tour operator licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and by ABTOT.

The air holiday packages (Tours including flights) that we advertise are ATOL protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser's LicenceÂ granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.Â Our ATOL number is ATOL 2595. In addition, As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), Explore has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased directly with Explore.

Reserving your place

To reserve your place on this tour you will need to check availability on the Explore website or through our dedicated call centre based in the UK where you can. Our tours can fill up quickly so you are advised to book as early as possible. If your chosen date is ‘Available’ or ‘Guaranteed’ we will be able to provisionally hold you a space for up to 48 hours.

For Self-Guided holidays and Private Journeys simply choose your date of travel and let us know so we can confirm all ground services.

The easiest way to confirm your booking is through our website. When you are ready to book, we normally require a 10% non-refundable deposit, but for some holidays this may be more to cover such items as permit fees, internal flights or other non-refundable services. If your travel starts within 60 days of booking, full payment will be required at the time of booking

100% No Surcharge Guarantee

The price paid for our holidays is no longer subject to change. Once booked and confirmed we will guarantee the price you pay will not increase, whatever the circumstances. You will not be approached to pay fuel surcharges unlike the vast majority of other adventure tour operators. The price guarantee applies to all new bookings departing between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2015.